Prophet Yusuf
يوسفعليه السلام
His story is called 'the best of stories' in the Quran. Thrown into a well by his brothers, he rose to become the minister of Egypt through patience and faith.
The Dream
As a young boy, Yusuf saw a dream in which eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrated to him. His father Yaqub recognized this as a sign of future prophethood and warned Yusuf not to tell his brothers, fearing their jealousy. This dream would be fulfilled decades later when his family came to him in Egypt.
إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ
“When Yusuf said to his father, 'O my father, indeed I have seen eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.'”
Betrayal by His Brothers
Driven by jealousy, Yusuf's brothers plotted against him. They threw him into a deep well and told their father that a wolf had eaten him. A passing caravan found Yusuf and sold him into slavery in Egypt, where he was purchased by a high-ranking official (Al-Aziz).
وَجَاءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُ ۖ قَالَ يَا بُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَامٌ
“And there came a caravan, and they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, 'Good news! Here is a boy.'”
Trial of Temptation
In Egypt, the wife of Al-Aziz attempted to seduce Yusuf. Despite her beauty, power, and persistence, Yusuf refused and sought refuge in Allah. He said, 'I seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is my master who has made good my residence.' He chose imprisonment over sin when she threatened him.
قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ
“He said, 'My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me.'”
From Prison to Power
In prison, Yusuf interpreted dreams for two fellow inmates and, later, for the King of Egypt himself. The King's dream of seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Yusuf's wisdom led to his appointment as treasurer of Egypt, managing the nation's food reserves.
قَالَ اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ
“He said, 'Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I am a knowing guardian.'”
Forgiveness and Reunion
During the famine, Yusuf's brothers came to Egypt seeking food, not recognizing him. After testing them, Yusuf revealed his identity and forgave them, saying, 'No blame upon you today. Allah will forgive you.' He then sent for his father and family, and Yaqub's dream was fulfilled when they all bowed before him in gratitude.
قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
“He said, 'No blame upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.'”
Key Lessons
- ◆Allah's plan unfolds over years and decades — patience and trust are essential
- ◆Resisting temptation, even at great personal cost, is the mark of true faith
- ◆Forgiveness is more powerful than revenge
- ◆Every trial is a stepping stone — the well, the palace, the prison all led to power
- ◆Dreams can be a form of divine communication
References & Sources
- Quran: Surah Yusuf (12) — the entire surah is devoted to his story
- Ibn Kathir, Qasas al-Anbiya
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Yusuf